Louisiana voucher showdown back in court - New for Native youth - Campus carry bill becomes law in Texas

LOUISIANA VOUCHER SHOWDOWN BACK IN COURT: The Black Alliance for Educational Options and several Louisiana families who use school vouchers are back in court today, challenging a ruling from April 2014 that said the state must provide the Justice Department with annual data about the racial background of participating students. That data allows DOJ to monitor the program’s effect on school segregation and challenge voucher awards. The plaintiffs say the ruling places a “cloud of uncertainty” over the voucher program.

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— “This has to be one of the most perverse attempts to use a desegregation order ever,” said Clint Bolick, vice president for litigation at the Goldwater Institute, which is representing the families. “Desegregation orders were imposed on school districts decades ago to ensure black children had access to an equal education. Now, through this voucher program, which gives low-income, mostly minority children a way out of failing schools, the promise of giving all students access to a decent education is being made real. The Department of Justice’s actions in this case threaten educational opportunity for Louisiana’s most disadvantaged students.” A refresher on that ruling, and the showdown between DOJ and Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal: http://politico.pro/1HScGRJ.

— Speaking of vouchers, Nevada lawmakers passed legislation late last week to create a universal education savings account program. The bill now heads to Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, who’s expected to sign it. More in the Reno Gazette-Journal: http://on.rgj.com/1KwznZ5.

— And speaking of Jindal, his lawsuit over the Common Core is now in the hands of a federal judge, The Advocate reports. Two days of testimony wrapped up on Friday and now both parties have three weeks to file post-trial arguments: http://bit.ly/1KwzQdX.

GAME-CHANGER FOR THE HILL: POLITICO Pro is launching a Congressional Directory at 2pm today— free to Pro subscribers. The new intelligence tool is integrated into the platform Pros already rely on for news, and features member and staffer information including work history, education, issue areas and recent news, as well as offering users the ability to create customized searches, export lists, and track updates. To learn more about POLITICO Pro’s newest feature, email us at cd.info@politicopro.com

NEW FOR NATIVE YOUTH: The Education and Interior Departments will make an announcement this morning related to Native youth. The announcement, concerning the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, is tied to the president’s Generation Indigenous [ http://1.usa.gov/1QjuPXC] initiative on helping native youth succeed. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and William Mendoza, director of the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education, will all be present. The press conference starts at 10 a.m. ET at Interior. Watch: http://on.doi.gov/QsFzLH.

CAMPUS CARRY BILL BECOMES LAW IN TEXAS: The Texas legislature has passed a bill that will allow those with concealed carry permits to have their guns on Texas university campuses. The final version of the bill, passed Sunday, allows public institutions to decide where handguns are carried and how they are stored. Private institutions can opt out altogether, the Texas Tribune reports: http://bit.ly/1Qjvp7V. “I just feel that the time has come for us to protect the men and women of Texas who are carrying concealed on our campuses,” said state Rep. Allen Fletcher, a Republican who sponsored the bill. University of Texas Chancellor William McRaven said the decision wasn’t what he hoped for, but found it “helpful” that the bill was amended to allow some flexibility for campuses. “I pledge to our students, faculty, staff, patients and their families and to all those who may visit a UT institution that, as UT System leaders, we will do everything in our power to maintain safe and secure campuses.”

— The Texas bill was one of the few campus carry proposals introduced this legislative session that gained traction: http://on.wsj.com/1F1CXWC.

SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION ON THE AGENDA: The National College Leadership Council, a group of student body presidents, is at the White House this morning to talk sexual assault prevention and the “It's On Us” campaign. This afternoon, they’ll head to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for a workforce readiness discussion on the skills gap and alleviating youth unemployment. Tonight, VICE holds an advanced screening of “Campus Cover-up,” a new episode in its HBO series, about sexual assault at colleges. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Claire McCaskill will answer questions and discuss their legislation about the issue. RSVP here to attend the 7:30 p.m. ET event at George Washington University: http://bit.ly/1FjCcsf.

— Don’t be surprised if Title IX comes up at a hearing on First Amendment protections on college campuses, especially after Northwestern University professor Laura Kipnis’ explosive essay in the Chronicle of Higher Education last week [ http://bit.ly/1JYRfhe]. The House Judiciary Committee’s Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee will take a look at the issue Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET in 2141 Rayburn. And on Wednesday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee holds its latest Higher Education Act reauthorization hearing, on college affordability. That’s slated for 10 a.m. ET in 430 Dirksen.

EDUCATOR EQUITY PLANS DUE: States are handing over their updated educator equity plans to the Education Department today, nearly a year after the agency announced its “Excellent Educators for All” initiative [ http://1.usa.gov/1tfTRkc]. State plans were first created in 2006 under Title I of No Child Left Behind. The agency required states to revamp them, showing how they plan to ensure that all students, especially poor and minority students, get their fair share of quality and experienced teachers. Last month, Morning Education gave you a sneak peek [ http://politico.pro/1SH7aEw] at Florida and Vermont’s draft plans. North Dakota has also posted a draft plan [ http://bit.ly/1ElZIE3] online. “The draft plan suggests using signing bonuses, student loan forgiveness, housing programs, improved professional development, and incentives for training teachers’ aides to become licensed teachers as ways to increase the supply of highly qualified teachers in high-poverty schools,” the state says. “Retired teachers also could be recruited and offered training to return to the classroom.”

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE RECORDS FOLLOW STUDENTS INTO COLLEGE: A new report from the Center for Community Alternatives finds that nearly 75 percent of colleges and universities collect high school disciplinary information, and the overwhelming majority consider those records in deciding which students to admit. Part of what fueled colleges requests? A change to the Common Application for the 2006-07 academic year led to the addition of a question about school disciplinary histories. Most high schools, however, don’t have formal policies on whether or not to release the records. CCA wants high schools to adopt policies that prohibit the disclosure of high school disciplinary records to colleges and universities. And the group wants colleges to refrain from including questions about high school disciplinary violations on college applications and prohibit the use of such information in admissions decision making. The report: http://bit.ly/1JcGmZW.

— Skipping school would no longer be a criminal offense in Texas under a bill headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. In fiscal year 2014, nearly 100,000 Texas students received misdemeanors for too many unexcused absences. Chronically absent students could still be referred to court, but civil courts, not criminal; and students could no longer be fined or wind up with a criminal record. More from The Associated Press: http://bit.ly/1HFuaLz.

NO CANDIDATE LEFT BEHIND: Hillary Clinton has two new Democratic challengers — former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee is expected to announce his run for president this week [ http://politi.co/1G8djGo]. As governor, Chafee clashed with Education Commissioner Deborah Gist over a number of education reform issues, including charter schools: http://politico.pro/1DwLTou

— And the Republican field will continue to grow this week too, with South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham expected to announce his bid today and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry announcing Thursday.

— The New York Times’ Frank Bruni writes about one thing many on the GOP slate have in common: abolishing, or denuding, the Education Department: http://nyti.ms/1LQXfaR

— Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley also joined the race. Morning Education talked to him back in December, when his staff said he was “widely considered to be the ‘education governor.” I noted that the “education governor” nickname is generally associated with Republican Jeb Bush. “Is this the presidential question?” O’Malley quipped. “I didn’t realize that was Jeb Bush’s nickname.” Flashback: http://politico.pro/1GKdRB2

— GOP presidential candidate Carly Fiorina said on Sunday she would give Common Core a failing grade for how it teaches American students. The Hill: http://bit.ly/1GPa85m

— New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says his reversal on the Common Core has nothing to do with his political ambitions. CBS: http://cbsloc.al/1PXlgD8

PARCC MANUAL MAKEOVER: More than 20 educators across seven states are reviewing PARCC’s test administration manuals, providing feedback and recommendations to improve them for the 2015-16 school year. Teachers and test coordinators have told PARCC that the instructional handbooks are too confusing [ http://politico.pro/1SH7aEw]. One recommendation the educators made to improve the manuals next year: “Adding more screenshots of the administrative portal to help test coordinators better prepare for administration and re-formatting information into graphs and bullets to make the manuals easier to read.” More: http://bit.ly/1AD8PW0

About The Author

Caitlin Emma is an education reporter for POLITICO Pro, covering federal K-12 education policymaking and politics, in addition to national trends.

Caitlin graduated from UConn in 2011. As a reporter in Connecticut, she covered everything from state policy and politics, to police, courts, community book clubs and restaurant health inspections. She’s also a loyal UConn Huskies fan.

Caitlin donated her bone marrow in 2010 and has spearheaded a number of bone marrow donor drives. Ask her about it, and she’ll gladly convince you to register as a donor.

A Massachusetts native, Caitlin now lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her dog Roxy and husband Bill.